In none of the many recent articles decrying unacceptable levels of absenteeism among public school students, and describing efforts to remedy them ("Empty desks" series, The Oregonian), have I read a word about why this problem exists.

The answer to that question, of course, is manifold and must be sought among the individual students. Blanket policies of “clamping down” with penalties or rewards will not answer the question or solve the problem. Efforts must be made to address the individual problems of the students that cause them to choose absenteeism and help them find remedies for them.

Most of all, schools — and parents — must encourage students to look ahead, seek their individual passions, set goals and help them to see school curricula as relevant to their future success in the world — then make sure that they are.